Ophthalmic lens



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E, w37., H. W. n-ULL OPHTHALMIC LENS Mwah Original Filed Nov. 24, 1930 2 Sheecs-Sheet l mlm VTO

mmh 2; wm H. W. 'HILL www OPHTHALMI C LENS Original Filed NOV. 24, 1950 2 Sheeis-Sheeh 2 im@ mlm i IN VEN TOR BY am@ ma www M1 Patented Mar. 2, 1937 "UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE orurnALMro LENS l Barry W. Bill, Southbridge, Mass., vassignor to American Optical Company, Southbridge,

Mass., a voluntary association oi' Massachusetts Application November 24, 1930, Serial No. 497,862 Renewed March 25. 1936 'I Claims. (Cl. 88-54) `ing operations usual in the production of lenses of this character are greatly reduced in number and the ultimate cost of the lensalso greatly reduced.

Another' object of the invention is to provide improved means and an improved process for making a fused bifocal or multifocal lens having a composite counterslnk button of glass of a plurality of different indices of refraction whereby the difficult and commercially impracticable operation of fusing the edge between the parts of said buttn is overcome and made-commercially and economically possible.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved process of forming a bifocal or multifocal lens having odd shaped reading additions, particularly those of an irregular contour.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means and processes wherein the position of the optical center of the reading segment with respect to the optical center of the distancelportion of a fused bifocal or multifocal lens can be denitely controlled.

Another bject is to provide a reading segment in a fused bifocal or multifocal lens that will be of such size and shape as to be best suited to vocational or other individual uses of the wearer.

Another object is to provide imprved means v andprocesses whereby the position of the dividlng line between the reading and distance fields lof such lensescan be controlled with respect to the optical centers of said fields.

Another object is to provide improved means and processes whereby the position oi' the optical A)center of thereading field with respect to the optical center of the distance eld can -be definitebutton showing a plurality of advantageousfeatures which have hitherto been diicult to obtain in lenses of this character. Y

. Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and it will be understood that manychanges may be made in the details of construction, arrangement ofparts and steps of the process without departing from the spirit of the the process shown and described as the preferred forms only have been shown by way of illustra- Referring to the drawings: Fig. I is a front elevation of a nished lens embodying the invention;

Fig. II isa section on line II--II of Fig. I;

Fig. III is a view similar to Fig. II showing the reading segment positioned on the opposite face or inner surface of the lens;

Fig. IV is a front elevationof the blank for the countersink button showing a step in the process of manufacture.

4invention as expressed inthe accompanying" claims. I, therefore, do not Wish to be limited to the exact details of construction and steps of Fig. v is a sectional new taken on une V--v or rig. IV:

`Fig. VI is' a front elevation of the segment for the reading addition;

. Fig. V11 is a sectional View taken on line V1I VII of Fig.. VI; f

Fig. VIII is a front elevation oi' the composite further step in the process of manufacture;

Fig. IX is a sectional view taken on line'IX- 1X of Fig. VIII; l

Fig. X isa view similar to Fig. IX showing a further step in the process of manufacture;

Fig. XI is a front elevation of the major por--` tion of the lensillustrating a further step in the process of manufacture;

iIig. XII is a sectional View taken online XII-#- Fig. Vm is a view similar to Fig. Xn showing arfurther step in the process of manufacture Fig. XIV is a diagrammatic view illustrating how the position` of the reading addition may be varied with respect to the center ofy the distance portion or major portion of the lens:

- Fig. XV is a front elevation of a diagrammatic illustration showing how the position of the segment may be varied withrespect to the geometrii- Fig. XVI is a front elevation of a modied form of segment for the reading addition;

Fig. XVII is a front elevation of another modifled form of segment for the reading addition;

Fig. XVIII is a front elevation of a further cation ln which a reces is formed' through the minor disc instead of a slight depression as shown in Fig. V:

Fig. XXII is a front elevation of a finished lens embodying the invention;

Fig. XXIII is a section on line XXIlI-IQCIII of Fig. XXII;

Fig. mV is a view similar to Fig. m;

Fig. XXV is a section on line XXV-XXV of Fig. XXIV;

Fig. XXVI is a view similar to Fig. m; and

Fig. XXVII is a section on line XXVII- XXVII of Fig. XXVI.

It hasbeen found from past experience that a fused bifocal og multifocal lens having a circular reading segment is'not as eillcient in many instances as some other special shape. It has however lbeen considered impracticable if not commercially-,impossible to make many of these desired shape" in fused form, which shapes have been found desirable from experience with segments of the cemented form.

It has also been found from experience that where the countersink button of a fused bifocal or multifocal lens is made in composite'form 40 from a plurality of pieces of glass of different index of refraction that it has been most difli- The prime objects therefore of the invention is` to provide simple, efficient and ,economical means whereby a fused blfocal .or' multifocal lens having such a segment can be made for.

-commercial use and in which is incorporated many advantages hitherto unobtainable in prior art lenses of this character both from a standpoint of the cost and practicability of. production and of the optical excellence iand appearance of the nished article. y Referring to the drawings in which similar reference characters denote corresponding parts throughoutze The major lens blank 2 is made of crown or low index optical glass. There is made in this major blank a countersink recessrl the undersurface 33--1ig.' XII of which is finished to a curvature required by the .desired reading addition of the lens. This surface 33 is preferably ground and polished or otherwise made to an d5 Optical surface. This. blank 2 with the countersink I is similar to prior art nstructions except that the diameter of the countersink 1 will probably be larger for the reasons hereinafter set forth. v

The countersink button 3 is preferably made of glass sensibly the 'same'as that of the major blank 2. This countersink button 3 is preferably made bypressingthesameinaplasticeonditionina .mold Intoonesurfaceofthisbuttomispressed 75 ormadetherecess4ofthedeairedcontourand size of the reading segment. It will be noted that on the side opposite the recess or depression 4 is a projection or exuberance 3|, and also that the depression 4 does not extend entirely through the button 3. The button 3 is made with the' projection 3| in order that when the recess or depression 4 is formed the laminationsv of the glass are moved or displaced sensibly parallel with themselves, whereas if the projections were not used and the underside or projection side left flat the laminations of the glass would be curled or displaced out of parallelism and produce irregularities in the blank which would be visible at times and would appear as lines, seams, veins, cords, cracks and defects which would destroy the value of the lens. l't is clear that when the glass of the button 3 is displaced when the recess 4 is pressed therein that there is a tendency for the displaced glass to spread laterally if the projection 3l were not incorporated to take care of this displacement. If the depression 4 went clear through the button 3 the shape and outline of the depression could not be so well controlled and the sides of the recess would not be so smoothly finished, and therewould be no layer of glass left to protect the higher index segment, to be described hereafter, and which is to be. pressed into the depresion 4.

The reading segment 5 is made of a glass of higher index of refraction than that of the major blank 2 or countersink button 3. This glass may be iiint or other high index optical glass such as barium crown, etc. This segment 5 may be formed by molding it in plastic state to the required size and shape. or it may be cut out tov and polished.

The reading segment 5 is placed in the recess 4 of the countersink button 3. It may be put in .loosely and fused. The segmentl may be placed inthe recess under pressure if necessary.

'I'he segment may also be made by taking a strip or gob of glass and placing it over the recess 4 while thebutton 3 is stillvin the moldnd at high temperature, the strip or gob is also in plastic condition, and forcing a portion thereof into the recess by a suitable plunger. It is clear that the reverse of Athese o used. When the segment l is placedloosely in the recess 4 properv clearance between the edges of the segment and button must be provided.

It will be noted, Fig. IX, that as the recess 4 does not extend entirely through the button 3 there is a protective layer of low index glass 32 over the under face of the high index glass 5. This feature of protecting the underside of the higher index segment by a support 32 of,v lower index glass insures the fusion of the composite button of Fig. X into the countersink 1 and prevents aberration, shrinkage and warping of the segment I. W'lth the face 33, Fig. X of the composite button all of thesame index of refraction as the major blank 2 the fusion takes place with less -liability of warping the countersink curve 1 than is usual whereodiiferent kinds of rations may also be cured together as shown in Fig. XIII. That portion of glass which was the countersink button 2 in which the segment l was placed blends with the major portion 2 and disappears. This is due to the fact that it is sensibly of -the same index of refraction as the major portionland when fused thereto becomes invisible, leaving Aonly the high index portion 6 visible. A curve l is then formed on the segment side of the lens to any desired curvature depending upon the distance power required. This removes the excess glass from that side of the lens blank and prepares it for commercial use. The curve -I and segment 6 are shown in` Fig. II as being placed upon the convex side of the lens and in Fig. III as being placed on the concave side of the lens, it being understood that either side can be used. The lens is then finished by placing the desired curve on the opposite face l of the lens.

It is apparent that the size` and shape oi the reading segment can be controlled during the forming of the recess 4 and the segment l, it being simply necessary to employ diner-ent shaped moulding dies and different shaped segments 6 to nt the recesses 4 formed bysaiddies. A few of the dierent shaped segments 6 are-shown. in Figs. XVI to XX inclusive and it is to be understood that am! variation in the sizes and shapes of the segments shown may be made. The position oi' the reading segment 5 withrespect to the major portion 2m`ay be controlled by the position at which the countersink 'I vis ground into the major lens blank 2 and also by 4the way thev major blank 2 is iinaily.- cut and4 closer to the center I0 the co ters'ink "I is ground closer to said center `and uit is desired to place the segment 6 further away-'from the center I0 the countersink'1 is ground closer to lthe edge of the major portion 2. Inf'this manner the dividing line II between the fmajor and minor fields of the lens may be positioned in any desired relation with the center III. A diagrammatic illustration of attaining this result isu shown in Fig. XIV. AThevarying of the position of the segment 6' with respect to the'center of the major portion 2 may also bewcontrolled by varying the position of the recess 4 in the countersink buttonc# as shown in Fig. XV. By

placing the recess nearer the top of the button 2 it is apparent that when said button is fused within the countersink 1 of the maior portion 2 the dividing line II will be nearer the center I0 and if the recess 4 is placed adjacent the bottom of the button 2 the said dividing line will be` further away from the center I0. In this man.- ner the dividing line may be positioned in any desiredrelation with the. center III. Another point of interest as shown diagrammatically in 00 Fig. XV is that the optical center4 I2 of the reading segment 6 may be placed in any desired relation with the dividing line II and center Il of the major portion 2, that is, it may Abe 'placed above the dividing line II as shown at I2. on thedividing line as shown at I4, below the dividing After the position of the center has been properly located `and marked upon the composite button, that is the combined button 2 and segment 76 l,`the curve 6 is formed with its axial linel passit is apparent shaped. If it is desired to place the segment 6.

combinations being well vment l o! the lens is described as being locatedl on the button tand segment 6 previous to -its being fused within the countersink I of the major portion 2 it is to be understood that the position Voi! this )center be varied or located where desired after the segment 6 has been fused' within the recess 4 as shown diagrammatically by the dotted lines in Fig. m. By grinding the curve at an angle to the countersunk surface of the major portion 2 as shown by the dotted line Il, it is apparent that the center or axis of the reading segment 6 will be nearer the dividing line II and if formed at tle angle shown along the dotted line 20 it will be located further awayfrom the dividing line I'I. By the proper selection of the angle of the curve 8 it is apparent that the optical center of the read- 1 ing segment may be placed where desired.

It is to be' understood that the above methods set out in the 1controlling o! the position of the dividing line II' with respect tothe center I0 of the major portion 2 and the controlling or varying 4of th'eposition of the optical center I2 of the reading segment I are simply by way of illustration and that applicant does not desire to restrictvhimseli -to these particular methods as that many variations may beemployed. l r A By referring to Figs. XIUI to XXVII inclusive, it will be seen the opticallcenter of the segment may be related in any desired relation to the center of the m'ajor blank',y that is above, belowor on'l the dividing line between the segment and maior v blank. The position of .the dividing line -may be also fixed as desired.

The major portion 2-the button 3 and the Isegment 6 may be formed in allof thev various -ference indispersion between the glasses, a high index barium crown glass may be substituted for the vflint in the segment 6. It is clear that any desired combination with known glasses can be made keeping in mind the index of refraction for optical power considerations, thd'dispersion for l colorconsiderations. the melting temperatures for fusing considerations and the co-eiiicient of expansion also for fusing considerations, these known and employed in the prior art.

A limited number of desirable combinations are set (forth herein below by way of illustration. Various other combinations may be made to meet the special requirements considered desirable i'or` Particular uses or forms of lenses:'

Crown lglass having a refractive index of say 1.50 to 1.55 and a' reciprocal relative dispersion i of 57 to 60 for the distance portion or maior blank of the lens and int glass having a refractive index of 1.61 to 1.70 and a'reciprocal relative dispersion of acto 30. combination will give a large resultant chromatic aberration but is the more common type of glass.

i Crown glass having a refractive index of 1.50

to 1.65 and a reciprocal relative dispersion of 56 f resultant chromatic aberration of this combination will be small.

High dispersion crown glass for the major portion 2 say of 1.50 to 1.55 having a reciprocal rela- 5 tive dispersion of 50 to 55 and barium crown for the reading segment having a refractive index of 1.61 or higher and a reciprocal relative dis- .persion of 56 or higher. This combination will ve-a resultant chromatic aberration of less than a'single vision lens of the same reading power.

Barium crown glass is here used to designate any glass having a high index of refraction which corresponds in value to dint glass and having a reciprocal relative dispersion which is more than l5 thoseof the ordinary ilint but which approaches or exceeds-those of ordinary crown glass.

The above values and combinations set up are simply as means of illustration of how a lens having a minimum amount of chromatic aberration 20 may be obtained. It is to be understood that the refractive indexes of the major and minor portions of the lens herein described and the reciprocal dispersions set forth above need not be rigidly adhered to and that many variations may 26 be used in forming the above lenses.

The shapes set out in the drawings are simply by way oi illustration of how ,various shaped segments l can be obtained and how segments of sim may be obtained and are not lnilfi tended to restrict applicant in any way to the particular shapes and siaes of segments shown.

s stated above. the optical center of the readin'g'lesment I, may be placed in any desired relation with. respect to the center of the major por- :i tionl andthedividing line-ilmaybelocatedin any desired relation with respect to the center il of themajor portion and the optical center i! of the miner portion or reading segment l.

It is apparent that the maior portion 2, minor l40 button t and segment l can all be of a diiierent refractive index if desired. In this manner a lens having a distance ileld, a reading field and an intermediate i'le'ld surrounding the reading field may be formed or other diil'erent combinations 45 may be made.

In P'ig. XXI there is shown a further modification of the invention wherein instead of forming a slight depression l in the button 3 a recess Il is formed therethrough. The remaining steps of theV 50 process are the same. It is apparent that the dspression C or recess 2i may be formedin thebutton I by moulding. cutting. grinding or some similar operation. f 'Y It will beundcrstood that wherever the term 55 "multifocal" is employed in the spedilcation or claims herein, that it refersto a bifocal lens as' murs :engem descriptions-intussen certain operations instead of the. more expensive grinding and polishing operations of the prior art and that the diiilcultyof fusing the abutting edges of composite buttons has been avoided thus making it-possible to make a lens of less price with optical' qualities superior to those of the prior art.

Having described my invention I claim:

1. The process of forming a lens blank for a fused bifocal or multifocal lens comprising forming a major blank with a countersink therein, forming a button insert by placing a gob of plastic glass in a mould having a depression in one surface thereof of substantially the size and shape of the reading segment or the lens, pressing a die of substantially the same size and shape as the depression into the gob of glass opposite the depression to displace a portion of said glass laterally to form a depression of substantially the size and shape of the reading segment in one side of the glass and a projection of substantially the same size on the other side of the glass, shaping a piece of glass of a different refractive index to iit in the depression in the first piece of glass, securing said shaped piece of glass in the depression, forming a continuous optical surface of substantially the same curvature as the countersink in the major blank over -the depression side of said ilrst piece of glass and placing a gob of glass in a mould having a de prsion in one surface thereof of substantially the size and shape of the reading segment of the lens, pressing a die of substantially the same size and shape as the depression into the gob of glass opposite the depression to displace a portion of said glass laterally to form a depression of substantially the size and shape of the reading segment in one side of the glassr and Va projection of substantially the same size on the other side of the glass. shaping a piece of glass of a dinerent refractive index to ht in the depression in the rst piece of glass, securing said shapedpiece of glass in the depression, forming a continuous optical surface of substantially thesame curva ture as the countersink in the major blank over the depression side of said first piece of glass and the exposed side of said second piece of glass,

- placing. the composite button insert in' the countersink in the major blank, fusing it therein, grinding away the projecting portions of said button insert and forming a continuous optical surface over saidsbutton insert and the countersink side of the major blank, and forming a' continuous optical surface over the opposite side of the maior plank to produces finished lens.

I 3. The method of making bifocal or multifocal index of refraction, making a button of a A .of glass of substantially the same index refraction as that of the major blank tout into said countersink. displacing a portion of the of saidbutton in a directionsubstantially rmal to the plane thereof by an amount less `the thickness of the glass wherebya de- 'on is formed in one side of said button and Jection on the other side of said button thoutrvisibly distorting the striations of the glassofthebuttomplaelnlan insertin'said depression having the desired index of refraction, different from that of the major blank, fusing said insert in -said depression, surfacing off the, v

face of theV button and insert to a curved surfacel to t the countersink of the major portion, grinding off the projection leaving a thin protective layer of glass over'said insert, said layer having its outer wall substantially parallel tothe bottom of said insert and fusing said button and insert to said major blank with the insert lyingbetween the countersink' surface of the major blank and the thin protective layer of the button.

. 4; The method of making bifocal or multifocal lens blanks which comprises grinding 'a countersink in a major lens blank of glass having the desired index of refraction, making a button of apiece of glass oi' substantially the same index of refraction as that of the major blank to fit '20 into said countersink, displacing a portion of the glass of said button in a direction' substantially normal to the plane thereof by an amount less than the thickness of the glass whereby a de` pression is formed in one side of said button and a projection on the other side of Asaid button without visibly distorting the striations of the glass of thebutton, placing an insert in said depression having the desired index of refraction, Y. different from that'of the major blank, fusing $0 said -insert in said depression, surfacing off .the -face of the button and insert to a curved surface to t the countersink of the major blank, grinding off the projection leavingja thin protective layer of glass over said insert, said layer havingits outer wallsubstantially'parallel to the bottom of said insert. fusing said button and'insert to said major blank with the insert lime between the countersink surface of the maior blank and the thin protective layer of the button and form- 40 ing a continuous surface over the maior blank, and composite Vbutton and to such a Ydepth as to *remove the protective layer and expose the in-A s.' 'me 'netbsd et marinated-s1 or molafocsi 48 lenses which comprises grinding a countersink -in a majorlens blank oi.' the desired t index of refraction, making a button of a piece ofglassoftiallythesameindexofrefraction-as that of .the major blank to fitv into j said-countersink, displacing a Portion of the glass of said button in a' direction substantially normal to the plane thereof by an amount less than the thickness of the glass whereby a depression -is formed in one side of saidbutton and a pro- 56 iection on the other side -of said buttonw'ithout visibly the strlations of the glassl of the button. placing en -insert in said depression hav-4 ing the desired index of refraction, different from Y that of the maior blank. fusing said insert'in snsa'id depression, surfacing off the face of the button andv insert to a curved surface tori'it the ,countersink ofthe-major blank, grinding of! the j projection leaving a-.thin protective layer of glass t lens blanks which comprises'forming a counterblank with the insert lying between the countersink surface of the major blank and the thin protective layer of button and forming a continuous surface Aover the major portion and composite Y button and to such a depth as to remove the 5 protective layer and expose the insert and forming the desired prescriptive curve on the opposite side of the lens.

6. The method of making bifocal or multifocal sink in a majorblank of glass having a desired of glass of substantially thesame index of refraction as that' of the major blank to fit into said countersink, displacing a portion of the` glass of said button to substantially an equal depth throughout the area .of displacement and by an amount less thanA the thickness of the glass to form a depression in one side of said button with angled side walls of substantially equal depth throughout the contour 'of the depression and with a wall of substantially the same thickness throughout the area of the bottom of the depression, placing an insert of substantially the same contour shape as the depressionV in said .depression having the'desired index of refraction, different from that of the major blank. securing said insert in said depression, forming the face of the `button and insert to a curved surface to be placed in the countersink of the major portion, and fusing said button and insert to said vmajor biankwitn the insert lying between'the .countersink surface of the major blank and the wall adjacent the bottom of the depression in the button, the said wall beinfg adapted to provide a protective layer over-the insert in the' .depres-- sion during fusion.

'1. I'he method of making bifocal or multifocal lens blanks'which comprises forming a countersink in a major piece of glass having the desired index of refraction, forming a minor portion of glass of substantially the same index of refraction as that of the major piece of glassito be secured in said countersink, displacing a portion of the glass of said minor portion in a di-A rection substantially norma1`to the plane thereof by an vamount less than the thickness of said minor portion whereby a depression is formed in one side of said minor portion and a projection on the other side of said minor. portion without visibly distorting the striations of the glass of said minor portion, placing an insert in said depression having a desired index of refraction different from that of the major piece of' glass, securing said insert in said depression, 'and shap-` ing the face of the minor portion and insert to a curved surface, removing the projectiomleaving a relatively thin protective layer of glass over said insert, said layer having its outerwall substantially parallel to the bottom of said insert and securing said minor portionand insert to said major piece of glass with the insert lying between the countersink surface of the maior piece Aof glass and-the relatively thin protective layer of the minor portion. Y fHARRYWrHILL 

